March 2, 1984

Legendary Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles closed its doors. Recording home of Phil Spector and most of his classic hits, the studio was demolished to make way for a mini-mall featuring a Del Taco stand.

Top Single:
“Walk Like A Man” The Four Seasons #1 1963

March 3, 1958

The Rock & Roll National Anthem “Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay” by Danny & The Juniors charted eventually reaching #19.

March 3, 1966

Buffalo Springfield was formed by Stephen Stills shortly after the guitarist, driving on Sunset Blvd, in Los Angeles, saw an old Canadian friend Neil Young driving in the opposite direction at the wheel of a hearse.

March 9, 1957

Fats Domino charted with “I’m Walkin’” and reached #4. The “Fat Man” went on to have 66 Pop hits in 13 years.

Top Single:
“Venus” Frankie Avalon #1

March 10, 1958

The Crowns (formerly The Five Crowns) single “Kiss and Make Up” was released. Within months its local success landed the group on the Apollo stage where Drifters manager George Treadwell appointed them the new Drifters.

March 10, 1977

The Sex Pistols signed with A&M Records in London. The Ceremony was held in from of Buckingham Palace to the Queen’s horror.

March 12, 1966

The Drifters “Memories Are Made Of These” was reviewed as an “Exciting revival of the Dean Martin goldie with top Drifters vocals backed by Mariachi brass…..” but it only reached #48 and was their next to last of 36 top 100 hits.

Top Single:
“Lightnin’ Strikes” Lou Christie and The Angels #8 1966

Birthdays: :
Marlon Jackson (The Jackson Five) 1957

March 13, 1964

The Concords recorded “Should I Cry”.

March 13, 1965

Eric Clapton left The Yardbirds for John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Top Single:
“Stop! In The Name Of Love” The Supremes #3 1965
“Ballad Of The Green Berets” Sgt. Barry Sadler #1 1966

March 18, 2001

Mama’s & Papa’s leader John Phillips died. The group was hired to sing behind Barry McGuire on John’s “California Dreamin”. Producer Lou Adler was so impressed with their harmony he put their background an dlead vocals down instead. At his death Phillips was tracking an album he began with The Rolling Stones Mick Jagger 25 years earlier.

March 18, 1957

Bill Haley & The comets returned to America after performing before half a million people on a world tour.

March 22, 1961

The Beatles played at the Cavern with Pete Best on drums.

March 22, 2001

Earl Beal, co-founder and baritone of The Silhouettes, died. He and lead singer Billy Horton formed the Philadelphia group in a pool hall in 1955. Beal suggested naming the group after The Rays hit. They had only one chart record but it was a classic “Get A Job” (#1 R&B and Pop). Beal was 76.

March 22, 1956

Carl Perkins was severely injured in a car crash in Wilmington, Delaware while he was enroute to New York to perform on Perry Como’s T.V. show.